University of Oxford - Blavatnik School of Government Newshttps://www.bsg.ox.ac.uk/news/rss.xml
Blavatnik School of Government, University of OxfordenPathways for Peace: Inclusive Approaches to preventing violent conflicthttps://www.bsg.ox.ac.uk/news/pathways-peace-inclusive-approaches-preventing-violent-conflict
<p>Quratulain Fatima (MPP Class of 2015) is one of the contributors to <a href="https://openknowledge.worldbank.org/handle/10986/28337">Pathways for Peace: Inclusive Approaches to preventing violent conflict</a>, a report today in New York at the UN General Assembly by UN Secretary General Guterres and WBG President Kim. Quratulain worked on this report while being on her summer project placement. <a href="https://openknowledge.worldbank.org/bitstream/handle/10986/28337/211162mm.pdf?sequence=2&amp;isAllowed=y">The report is available here.</a></p>
<span class="date-display-single" property="dc:date" datatype="xsd:dateTime" content="2017-09-22T00:00:00+01:00">Friday, 22 September, 2017</span>node/4125Finalists in the Geneva Challenge https://www.bsg.ox.ac.uk/news/finalists-geneva-challenge
<p>We are pleased to say that a team from the Blavatnik School alumni (MPP Class of 2016) comprising of Eleanor Brown, Jo Rossiter, Hamish McKenzie, Andrew Wheeler, and Toby Phillips have been selected to be in the final three of the Geneva Challenge policy competition. They will be defending their policy proposal in front of a jury in Geneva on 31st October to win the £8,000 prize. This year’s competition theme was the challenges of employment. <a href="http://graduateinstitute.ch/TheGenevaChallenge">Read more about the Geneva Challenge.</a></p>
<span class="date-display-single" property="dc:date" datatype="xsd:dateTime" content="2017-09-22T00:00:00+01:00">Friday, 22 September, 2017</span>node/4124Meet the MPP Class of 2017https://www.bsg.ox.ac.uk/news/meet-mpp-class-2017
<p>The lively conversation and exchanges of students once again fill the Blavatnik School of Government as we welcome the Class of 2017. We’ve had the largest application pool ever, with applications from 109 countries, which made this year’s MPP the most selective. </p>
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<h2 class="element-invisible"><a href="/file/mpp2016firstdayjpg">MPP_2016_FirstDay.jpg</a></h2>
<p>Today, our new <a href="/node/27">Master of Public Policy</a> students join us from countries including Croatia, East Timor, Kyrgyzstan, Sudan and Tanzania. Among them are medical practitioners, civil servants and founders of NGOs: their backgrounds are highly varied, but they share the goal of improving government around the world.</p>
<p>In their <a href="/taxonomy/term/71">online profiles</a>, the students describe their public policy experience to date, as well as their objectives for the upcoming year in Oxford and beyond. These profiles are a testament to the diversity of the class, and are a useful point of reference for anyone who is interested in applying for an MPP.</p>
<p><a href="/node/3060">Scholarships</a> play an important part in making the course accessible, and this year six Africa Initiative for Governance (AIG) Scholarships have been awarded to students from West African nations. There will also be two Public Service Scholars in the class, as well as students in receipt of Lemann Fellowships and Start-up Nation awards, amongst many others.</p>
<p>Over the next few days, the students will be introduced to life at the Blavatnik School with an exciting programme of events, from building tours to mindfulness sessions. This gives them the chance to get their bearings before the start of the main induction programme next week, which focuses on specific skills and knowledge needed on the course. Sessions will include advice on writing for public policy and an introduction to Economics. A particular highlight of the week is the Policy Challenge, in which students work in teams to find solutions to topical policy issues.</p>
<p>We wish all our students a positive and successful start to their time at the Blavatnik School.</p>
<span class="date-display-single" property="dc:date" datatype="xsd:dateTime" content="2017-09-21T00:00:00+01:00">Thursday, 21 September, 2017</span>node/4121A new member of the International Advisory Boardhttps://www.bsg.ox.ac.uk/news/new-member-international-advisory-board
<p>We are pleased to announce that Mr Aigboje Aig-Imoukhuede, chairman of the Africa Initiative for Governance (AIG) has joined the International Advisory Board of the Blavatnik School of Government.</p>
<p>Ngaire Woods, Dean of the Blavatnik School of Government, said: “Mr Aig-Imoukhuede’s commitment to outstanding public service is an inspiration to all of us. His Initiative has successfully raised aspirations across Nigeria and Ghana among brilliant future leaders to study public policy. We look forward to having his expertise on the Board to help us drive the School’s mission to improve government around the world and deepen our impact.”</p>
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<h2 class="element-invisible"><a href="/file/aigboje-aig-imoukhuedejpg-0">Aigboje Aig-Imoukhuede.jpg</a></h2>
The role of the International Advisory Board is to advise on the overall strategy of the School and provide strategic advice to the Dean and senior management. The IAB assists the School in building productive relationships with governments, the private sector, and non-governmental organisations around the world. Members of the Board include the chairman, Lord Browne of Madingley, former United States President Bill Clinton and Eric Schmidt, Executive Chairman of Google.
<p>Mr Aigboje Aig-Imoukhuede said: “It is indeed an honour to be invited to serve on the International Advisory Board of the Blavatnik School of Government at the University of Oxford. In education and in the fields of governance, public policy and leadership, the Blavatnik School has clearly differentiated itself as a centre of excellence. In seeking the right synergies for Africa Initiative for Governance towards the achievement of our vision of being a catalyst for public sector transformation across Africa, the Blavatnik School of Government stood out as a worthy partner. It is with a deep sense of responsibility and commitment that I accept the invitation to join the Board, and to work alongside its very distinguished membership towards contributing to the overall impact of the School and, ultimately, achieving our shared vision of improving nations through outstanding public service.”</p>
<p>The Africa Initiative for Governance (AIG) works with governments, academic institutions and other partners to improve governance and transform public sector performance. AIG and the Blavatnik School have established the <a href="/node/3627">AIG Partnership</a> to provide fellowships and scholarships to support outstanding West African candidates and practitioners.</p>
<p><a href="/node/4101">Mr Aigboje Aig-Imoukhuede's profile</a></p>
<span class="date-display-single" property="dc:date" datatype="xsd:dateTime" content="2017-09-18T00:00:00+01:00">Monday, 18 September, 2017</span>node/4104Alumni collaboration in Cairohttps://www.bsg.ox.ac.uk/news/alumni-collaboration-cairo
<p>Today, Cameron Bell (MPP Class of 2015) hosted Panamarian MP and fellow Blavatnik School alumnus Edison Broce (MPP Class of 2015) at the Middle East Studies Centre of the American University in Cairo (AUC). Cameron facilitated a lecture given by Edison, entitled "Perspectives on The Panama Papers: Political and Economic Consequences for the region."</p>
<p>Dr. Robert Mason, Director of the Middle East Studies Center, School of Global Affairs and Public Policy at the AUC, issued the following statement:</p>
<p>Edison Broce gave an insightful and dynamic presentation on the Panama Papers at the Middle East Studies Center at the American University in Cairo today. His comments were well received by the diverse academic audience in attendance and enriched our understanding of the tax systems, policies, and havens in operation around the world.</p>
<p>Edison's comments, especially concerning what it takes to go from student activist to the youngest member of parliament in Panama in 2014 were an inspiration for all of us, and we look forward to hearing more about his progressive activities and policy proposals in future.</p>
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<h2 class="element-invisible"><a href="/file/alumni-newssmalljpg">Alumni news_small.jpg</a></h2>
<span class="date-display-single" property="dc:date" datatype="xsd:dateTime" content="2017-09-13T00:00:00+01:00">Wednesday, 13 September, 2017</span>node/4099“From Poverty to Prosperity”, Oxford’s first MOOC opens againhttps://www.bsg.ox.ac.uk/news/%E2%80%9C-poverty-prosperity%E2%80%9D-oxford%E2%80%99s-first-mooc-opens-again
<p>We are delighted to announce that our popular online course “From Poverty to Prosperity: Understanding Economic Development” led by Professor Paul Collier will be available online again this autumn.</p>
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<h2 class="element-invisible"><a href="/file/paul-collier-moocjpg">Paul Collier MOOC.jpg</a></h2>
<p>The course will start on 10 October, participants can enrol now to take a new, improved version of the course, which includes interactive discussions with peers and a live Q&amp;A session with Professor Paul Collier.</p>
<p>Launched <a href="/node/3449">earlier this year</a>, the course is Oxford’s first ever Massive Open Online Course (MOOC) and delivered in partnership with edX. The first run was extremely popular with 44,000 individuals from nearly every country in the world enrolled. However, as it frequently happens with these type of courses, the course was completed by a total of 2,371 individuals.</p>
<p>So this is a great opportunity for those who enrolled last time, and didn’t have the time to take the course.</p>
<p>It’s also a chance for those interested in joining the School for either a MPP or a DPhil to experience the type of teaching and have a taster or the School’s programme.</p>
<p>The refreshed version includes some small changes and tweaks in response to the feedback received from previous learners.</p>
<p>Follow this link to sign up for the new <a href="https://www.edx.org/course/poverty-prosperity-understanding-oxfordx-oxbsg01x-0" target="[objectObject]">From Poverty to Prosperity: Understanding Economic Development</a>.</p>
<p>Here’s what previous participants have said:</p>
<p>“I have consistently been studying in online learning environments since 2010 and this course design and the delivery by Professor Collier by far exceeded my initial expectations with regards to what an online mass education program would be able to convey in information and knowledge”</p>
<p>“I can use concepts and ideas for development activities for Myanmar and my work. As I live in a poor country, I cannot afford to apply for an Oxford University course, but I can study an Oxford course thanks to you.”</p>
<p>“I have greatly enjoyed this course and will recommend it to all that will listen. At a time when populism across the globe (e.g. US, UK) is leading to increased xenophobia, and far less concern for our neighbours and the disadvantaged, your message gives me hope”</p>
<p>“I felt honoured by having this opportunity and felt such pleasure in this course. It inspired a series of talks with friends in Brazil and I encouraged them and others to come and take part.”</p>
<p>We look forward to welcoming you on 10th October 2017 for the course launch. In the meantime, the videos on the right offer a taste of what the course is like.</p>
<span class="date-display-single" property="dc:date" datatype="xsd:dateTime" content="2017-09-14T00:00:00+01:00">Thursday, 14 September, 2017</span>node/4098Harnessing the power of natural resources for prosperity and progresshttps://www.bsg.ox.ac.uk/news/harnessing-power-natural-resources-prosperity-and-progress
<p>Ministers, high-level officials and public servants from 12 countries join us today for our fifth annual Executive Course on Oil, Gas and Mining Governance. The intensive five-day course for practitioners from the public and private sector is organised in partnership with the Natural Resource Governance Institute (NRGI), a non-profit policy institute and grant-making organization that promotes the effective, transparent and accountable management of oil, gas and mineral resources for the public good.</p>
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<h2 class="element-invisible"><a href="/file/exec-course-2016jpg-0">Exec Course 2016.jpg</a></h2>
<p>Participants on the 2016 Executive Course: Photo by John Cairns</p>
<p>The 2017 course focuses on how states can utilise the opportunities presented by natural resources – whether oil, gas or mineral – to achieve stability, prosperity and development. The participants, who each have at extensive experience in the sector, will deepen their understanding of the environmental risks of resource development and how to minimise them, as well as developing their ability to make informed regulatory decisions. The course looks at both technical policy aspects of managing resources and the complex interplay between governments, companies and citizens.</p>
<p>Led by globally recognised faculty both from the Blavatnik School of Government and external scholars and experts in the field, the sessions offer a combination of academic and real-world learning on topics such as ‘Managing public expectations’ and ‘Resource revenue management and investment’. We are delighted that our alumna Alexandra Readhead (MPP 2014) will be teaching the tax administration component. The varied activities include lectures, debates, case studies, audio visual presentations and group work.</p>
<p>The course provides an exceptional networking opportunity for participants, who benefit from the diverse range of experience and expertise within the group. After the course, they will receive Associate Alumni status and be part of a lifelong community of the School.</p>
<span class="date-display-single" property="dc:date" datatype="xsd:dateTime" content="2017-09-11T00:00:00+01:00">Monday, 11 September, 2017</span>node/4089Reforming civil service: an international conversationhttps://www.bsg.ox.ac.uk/news/reforming-civil-service-international-conversation
<p>How can civil service be improved around the world to better serve citizens? On Monday 4 September, senior public service practitioners gathered at the Blavatnik School of Government for a day of lively discussions surrounding this question.</p>
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<h2 class="element-invisible"><a href="/file/incisejpg">InCiSE.jpg</a></h2>
<p>Photo credit: John Cairns</p>
<p>The dialogue centred on the recently published <a href="/node/3888">International Civil Service Effectiveness (InCiSE) Index</a>, which assesses how a country’s central civil service is performing in relation to others. The inaugural Index covers 31 countries and highlights both achievements and areas which could be improved. The Index gives countries a score on categories including openness, integrity, fiscal and financial management, digital service and policy making, to name but a few.</p>
<p>In the first session of the day, panellists asked ‘Why does measuring civil service effectiveness matter?’ and affirmed that the Index created the opportunity for countries to learn from each other and share best practice, thus gaining ideas on how to improve public sector provision. The session ‘A practical tool for change – exploring the InCiSE Index’ looked at the Index itself in more detail, and delegates considered how it could be fine-tuned avoid any potential bias.</p>
<p>A civil service comprised of expert, highly motivated staff is a prerequisite for the smooth running of any government. The afternoon thus kicked off with a panel session investigating performance measurement, facilitated by Professor Ngaire Woods, Dean of the Blavatnik School. Performance and personnel management is considered to be one of the hardest areas to capture with the Index, and the panel made up of senior civil servants from Kenya, Slovakia, Singapore and Ireland shared their ideas for ways to do so. A key learning point was the need for non-financial rewards to make sure that the best people are retained.</p>
<p>Two in-depth parallel workshops followed, exploring how the Index can be strengthened, and how its data can inform policy-making. The day ended with participants looking ahead at the next steps for InCiSE, exchanging thoughts on how to ‘future-proof’ the project.</p>
<p>The InCiSE Index is a collaboration between the Blavatnik School of Government at the University of Oxford and the <a href="https://www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/">Institute for Government</a>. The project has been supported by the UK Civil Service and is funded by the Open Society Foundations. The launch event created a platform both for discussing the results of the InCiSE Index, and finding innovative means to reform civil service, leaving participants with new ideas to improve public service in their respective countries. </p>
<p>Commenting on the success of the event, Calum Miller, Chief Operating Officer of the Blavatnik School, said "“We were delighted to welcome civil service leaders from many countries to the Blavatnik School to discuss how they can use InCiSE to improve the service they provide to citizens and governments. They had some lively debate and discussion with the leading global scholars and analysts we had gathered. I was challenged and inspired by new ideas. We have work to do to strengthen and deepen InCiSE but it was a great start.”</p>
<p><a href="https://www.bsg.ox.ac.uk/press/interview-sir-simon-gass-project-director-incise-index">Listen to an interview with project director, Sir Simon Gass</a></p>
<span class="date-display-single" property="dc:date" datatype="xsd:dateTime" content="2017-09-08T00:00:00+01:00">Friday, 8 September, 2017</span>node/4088Admissions are open from today https://www.bsg.ox.ac.uk/news/admissions-are-open-today
<p>Admissions to the Master of Public Policy (MPP) and Doctorate in Public Policy (DPhil) are open from today.</p>
<p>We've asked our current students, who will soon be alumni, to talk about their stories and experiences at the School.</p>
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<p>There are up to 120 places for the MPP and up to five for the DPhil, and applications can be submitted from today until January. For anyone who is thinking about applying, the <a href="/node/20">Study with us</a> section on our website has all the information on the course, the exact deadlines and many useful links - including the application link.</p>
<p>For a more informal take on the admissions process, as well as useful tips and links, applicants can also look at the <a href="http://blogs.bsg.ox.ac.uk/category/life-at-the-school/">Admissions and life at the School </a>section in our Blog – there are plenty of posts with tips and insights about the applications process, funding, and life at the School. </p>
<p>If you don’t follow us on social media already, head over to <a href="https://twitter.com/BlavatnikSchool">Twitter</a> and <a href="https://www.facebook.com/Oxfordbsg/">Facebook</a>, where you will find a regular flow of updates on the School and its activities: events, students and faculty activities, research, and partnerships.</p>
<p>Our new class of MPP students will join us in about three weeks, with the DPhil students following soon after. Look out for their profiles to better understand the variety of people you will find on the course.</p>
<span class="date-display-single" property="dc:date" datatype="xsd:dateTime" content="2017-09-01T00:00:00+01:00">Friday, 1 September, 2017</span>node/4068Alumna selected for Build Peace Fellows programmehttps://www.bsg.ox.ac.uk/news/alumna-selected-build-peace-fellows-programme
<p>Quratulain Fatima (MPP Class of 2015) has been nominated one of three <a href="http://howtobuildup.org/index.php/fellows2017/">Build Peace Fellows 2017-18</a> organised by Build Up, a social enterprise that amplifies citizen participation in peacebuilding through technology, arts, and research. The programme is aimed at "exceptional individuals who want to work at the intersection of peacebuilding, arts, research and technology."</p>
<p>Find out more about the <a href="http://howtobuildup.org/index.php/fellowship/">Build Peace Fellowship</a>.</p>
<span class="date-display-single" property="dc:date" datatype="xsd:dateTime" content="2017-08-30T00:00:00+01:00">Wednesday, 30 August, 2017</span>node/4065